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If a tooth cracks, it often needs to be protected to prevent further breakage and damage to the surrounding area. Crowns are the best way to protect cracked teeth and strengthen the tooth.

How Do Teeth Crack? 

Teeth can crack in a variety of situations. Pressure placed on the teeth from chewing, clenching, and grinding weaken the teeth over time and cause them to lose strength. Tooth decay that breaks down the structure of the tooth can also make it more susceptible to cracking. Additional pressure from chewing on ice, un-popped popcorn, and hard candy can fracture or crack these weakened teeth.

Symptoms of a Cracked Tooth 

If you have any of these symptoms, you may have a cracked tooth:

• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• sensitivity to overly sweet or sour foods
• Sharp pain when you chew
• Intermittent pain that comes and goes rather than constant

When Should I See My Dentist

Some teeth might look cracked because of hairline cracks that develop over time, but these do not always need treatment. A diagnosis is the best way to determine whether you have a cracked tooth, the severity of the crack, and the necessary treatment. You should schedule an examination at the earliest sign of a cracked tooth since these cracks grow quickly and can lead to larger problems like tooth decay if they reach the tooth’s nerve.

At your appointment, we will start with x-rays. X-rays do not always reveal a crack so we may also need to analyze your bite. Both of these diagnostic procedures are quick and painless. If a crack is discovered, we will discuss your options for crowning the tooth.

Treatment for Cracked Teeth

A crown is often the go-to treatment for cracked teeth. These small oral appliances sit over the chewing surface of the tooth like a cap to restore the tooth’s appearance and function. A cracked or weakened tooth could be further damaged or become decayed. Crowns come in gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. Your dentist will determine the best crown for you depending on the area of the mouth that the cracked tooth is in. If the crack has extended further into the tooth and damaged the tooth, a root canal or tooth extraction might be needed.

Schedule a Consultation

Going to the dentist is not something many people look forward to, but you can rely on our warm and considerate staff to make your experience a positive one. If you suspect a cracked tooth, it is important you do not wait to take action. Schedule an appointment today with our expert team at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics for tooth repair in Reno, NV.

If you’re in tooth pain, it can be hard to focus on anything else, and become a minor or major disruption to your daily routine. However, tooth pain comes in many different degrees and forms, and you may not know that its cause is something you need treatment for as soon as possible when it first arrives. If you’re in pain or have experienced a sudden change in tooth sensation, we encourage you to call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Cracked Teeth

Cracked teeth can cause sudden or recurring pain or discomfort nearly anywhere in the mouth, due to something you ate, chewed, or were injured by. Unlike a toothache where pain is sharp and constant, a cracked tooth can result in slightly different symptoms, such as:

• Having intermittent tooth pain
• Feeling sharp pains when you chew
• Wanting to chew only on one side of your mouth
• Having increased sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods

These symptoms may be a sign of a cracked tooth or other issue that may require dental solutions such as a filling, onlay, or dental crown.

Risks and Causes of Cracked Teeth

Over time, your teeth endure constant and intense wear and tear that physically erodes the strength of the enamel that protects the softer inner parts of teeth where nerve endings reach. This leads to an increase in everyone’s risk for tooth damage and decay, including cracked teeth.

Specific foods and habits can further increase the wear on your teeth, such as frequently eating crunchy foods, hard candies, or even chewing ice, as well as potential medical conditions such bruxism (teeth grinding) or clenched jaw due to a TMJ disorder.

Teeth can also lose some of their natural integrity when they’ve already been treated once to fix a cavity with a filling or root canal. Finally, injuries sustained when playing sports or having some kind of mouth injury can affect the strength of your jaw and teeth.

Diagnosing and Treating Cracked Teeth

Teeth cracks come in all shapes and severities, and require full analysis before creating a custom treatment plan to ensure the most holistic and effective approach. First, you will likely have X-rays taken of the affected tooth/teeth as well as a physical examination of the area. Tooth fractures are commonly invisible except on X-rays, but understanding the surrounding teeth and gum tissue, as well as your natural bite are all helpful diagnostic tools when choosing a treatment plan.

Once our dentists have a solid idea of where the crack is and how deep it is, they will devise a treatment. For surface-level cracks, an onlay or crown may be all that’s required to reinforce the underlying tooth tissue for a long-term solution.

However, if the crack has reached the dentin or pulp layer of the tooth, it will first require a root canal before the structure will be strong enough to handle a crown.

Treating Cracked Teeth in Reno, NV

Don’t let tooth pain get unbearable before seeking treatment. Often, coming in for an examination and diagnosis early is key to having the best chance of saving your teeth and preventing extensive, expensive dental work from needing to be done. Our dentists are here to get you an appointment as soon as possible to address your dental care needs. Don’t hesitate to call our office today to schedule your appointment.

Soft drinks can be extremely refreshing, and they might even be a regular part of your daily diet. There are plenty of reasons to only enjoy soft drinks in moderation – one of which is your dental health. That’s because soft drinks can cause damage to your teeth every time you sip! Here’s what to know about soft drinks and how you can keep your teeth healthy and strong.

How does soda damage your teeth?

Most sodas and soft drinks contain between 10-12 teaspoons of sugar per serving (about 8oz). All this sugar can coat your teeth and feed the bacteria that live there. These bacteria eat sugar and produce acid which can wear away at your enamel. When your protective enamel is worn away, it exposes the dentin underneath. Over time, this can cause problems like pain and even cavities. You may also become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, and your teeth can appear more yellow. In severe cases, your teeth can begin to lose their natural shape. In short, soda can wear away your teeth over time and require some extensive repairs.

Should children have soda?

Although it’s okay for your child to enjoy a soda occasionally, you should make sure to keep an eye on your child’s soda consumption and help them understand it can hurt their teeth while they’re still forming. Even though it may seem safe because your child is still losing their baby teeth, these can still become damaged and infected like normal adult teeth and risk their health.

Is diet soda bad for your teeth?

It may seem like diet soda is a good alternative because it doesn’t have added sugar, but diet sodas, seltzers, and sparkling waters are still very acidic because of the carbonation. They usually contain citric, phosphoric, or tartaric acid which can erode your teeth the same as normal sodas, even if they’re lower in sugar. Make sure to enjoy diet sodas and sugar-free soft drinks in moderation, too.

How to keep your teeth healthy when drinking soda

The best way to keep your teeth protected from erosion from soft drinks is to avoid them and only enjoy them occasionally. Try and sip water throughout the day instead – for kids, swap out soda for milk to harden enamel with a valuable source of calcium. If you do drink soda, make sure to use a straw which can help the fluid bypass much of the surface of your teeth. Additionally, try not to sip on soda for extended periods of time. Finish it within a reasonable timeframe and then have some water to help flush out sugar and prevent plaque buildup. 20 minutes after you finish your soda, give your teeth a thorough brushing to fully get rid of any lingering sugar or acid.

Schedule an Appointment

The best way to keep your teeth healthy is by checking in with your dentist regularly. To meet with Drs. Struby and Smith and learn more, contact our Reno office by calling or filling out our online form.

Toothpaste has certainly come a long way since its introduction in the 1800s. Once comprised of little more than chalk and soap, toothpaste is now capable of accomplishing everything from whitening the teeth to rebuilding their enamel. As such, choosing the right one can be incredibly confusing. As you stare at the colorful boxes and boldly written promises that are found on the toothpaste aisle, be sure to keep the following information in mind.

There Are No Known Benefits To Using Charcoal Toothpaste

Charcoal toothpaste is currently on-trend. Whether it’s the novelty of brushing the teeth with a black-colored gel or the belief that this abrasive ingredient will actually whiten the teeth, countless consumers are using it. Sadly, however, not only do charcoal types of toothpaste fail to deliver on many of the promises they make, but they can also strip the teeth of their protective enamel, thereby leaving them more vulnerable to both staining and long-term sensitivity.

Over-The-Counter Toothpaste For Sensitivity May Be A Great Starting Point

If you suffer from mild to moderate tooth sensitivity, over-the-counter toothpaste may be able to provide relief. Despite their less than appealing taste, the surest way to get the greatest benefits from these products is by letting them fully absorb into the teeth rather than rinsing them out. For severe tooth sensitivity, however, it’s always best to consult with a dentist. You may need prescription-strength toothpaste, or you may have an underlying oral health issue.

Avoid Aloe Vera Toothpastes That Are Fluoride-Free

Aloe vera has a longstanding reputation for promoting rapid wound healing. When used in the mouth for daily cleansing, however, this ingredient has few to no proven benefits. Moreover, most types of aloe vera toothpaste lack fluoride, which is an essential ingredient for strengthening, fortifying, and protecting the teeth.

Whitening Toothpaste Can Provide Impressive Results Over The Long-Term

Many whitening kinds of toothpaste can indeed deliver on the promises that they make to brighten the smile and eliminate minor areas of discoloration. It’s important to note, however, that the whitening agents in these products aren’t generally strong enough to produce any rapid or truly remarkable results. Instead, these pastes and gels are best-suited to consumers who want to see gradual improvements in their tooth coloration over time. Ultimately, nothing trumps the effectiveness of a professionally rendered, in-office whitening treatment.

With all this in mind, try to choose a toothpaste that’s in line with your needs and oral health goals. Whitening, remineralizing toothpaste should contain fluoride and be absent of abrasive additions like charcoal that can undermine the health of the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

You can always contact us at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics to get needs-specific recommendations for this incredibly important element of your daily oral hygiene. Schedule your appointment by calling our office at (775) 852-8181.

Sugar appears in so many of the foods and drinks that we love. Sugar is delicious, but if we take in an excessive amount of sugar it may lead to tooth decay. However, very few people understand how this tooth decay comes about. It is crucial to note that it is not technically sugar that is responsible for the damage, but rather the process that occurs after consuming a sugary food. The more you learn about the way sugar affects your teeth, the less you will want to consume it.

The Science of Sugar

Your mouth contains numerous species and genus of bacteria. Some are dangerous, while others are crucial for dental health. There is a group of bacteria that releases acid in the mouth as they digest the sugar. These acids cause the de-mineralization of teeth. Fortunately, your saliva naturally initiates the re-mineralization process. Additionally, fluorides, phosphates, and calcium assist in re-mineralization as well.

Continuous attacks by the acids can cause de-mineralization, ultimately weakening and destroying enamel and possibly leading to cavities. If the holes are not taken care of appropriately, they invade deeper into the teeth layers, resulting in pain and tooth loss. Symptoms of tooth decay are sensitivity to cold or hot meals and drinks, pain as you chew, and toothache. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact a dentist as soon as possible.

The Effects of Excess Sugar

Some of the dangerous bacteria present in the oral region are the Streptococcus genus. They form dental plaque after breaking down the sugars you take. If you don’t remove it through brushing or saliva, the mouth’s environment becomes too acidic, leading to the development of cavities. The acidic environment destroys enamel causing de-mineralization. Without proper management, the smaller holes develop into larger ones.

Types of Dietary Intake that Leads to Tooth Decay

The following eating habits play critical roles in the development of cavities:

Consuming Sticky Foods and Beverages

These foods provide long-term sugar sources. Some examples of these include lollipops and mints. These foods are retained in the mouth for a long time, attracting pathogenic bacterium and leading to acidity. The outcome is severe de-mineralization and short periods of mineralization. Similarly, sipping sweetened drinks is a risk factor for developing cavities because your teeth are exposed to the sugars for a prolonged time, allowing the pathogenic bacteria to accumulate in your mouth.

Eating Snacks Containing High-Sugar

Repeated consumption of sugary drinks and sweets leads to cavities. Snacks with a high concentration of sugars expose your teeth to the acids’ harmful effects, leading to tooth decay. Recent studies reveal that kids who feed on a large number of potato chips as snacks have a four times higher chance of developing cavities, unlike those who don’t eat many potato chips.

Management of Tooth Decay

In order to protect your mouth from tooth decay, there are some steps that need to be taken to lower the risk of damage to your teeth.

Monitor What You Drink and Eat

In your diet, incorporate enough dairy products, raw fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Use straws when taking in sugary drinks to reduce your exposure to acids and sugars.

Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene And Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Brushing after every meal is essential in preventing tooth decay and cavities. Consider using toothpaste containing fluoride to assist in re-mineralization. Additionally, pay closer attention to how much sugar is in your diet and try to eliminate unnecessary foods, drinks, and treats with too much sugar in them.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re worried about tooth decay and want to learn more about how to prevent cavities, schedule an appointment with us at South Meadows Dental and Orthodontics. We offer the best services in dental health, and always put our patients’ needs first. For further inquiries, contact our offices at 775-413-2976 or fill out an online form.

Dealing with crooked teeth can severely affect your self-esteem and oral health. However, with tooth alignment options like traditional braces and Invisalign aligners, each solution presents its own advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading to learn more about each option and find out which is best for you.

What Is the Difference Between Traditional Braces and Invisalign?

Traditional braces are a common type of orthodontic device comprised of metal brackets. These brackets are fastened onto the teeth, applying pressure to reposition any crooked teeth. Based on the degree of misalignment, Dr. Meagan Struby, our local orthodontist, may require patients to wear traditional braces for anywhere between six months and two years.

Invisalign aligners consist of customized plastic molds that fit the top or bottom set of teeth, similar to retainers. The plastic used is non-toxic and is constructed to provide the specific dimensions of your mouth. Invisalign aligners can sometimes be difficult to fit perfectly onto your molars. Therefore, you should avoid chewing or moving your jaws too much when wearing them.

Reason to Choose Traditional Braces

There are many benefits to choosing traditional braces to straighten your teeth. Some of these include:

Satisfactory, Long-Term Results

Traditional braces require some time for them to straighten your teeth. By wearing them for a prolonged duration, your teeth and gums will permanently realign. Once removed, the results are amazing. Braces can ultimately enhance your smile and overall appearance.

Can Be Used to Treat Severe Complications

Unlike Invisalign treatments, traditional alternatives can help rectify complex dental issues with ease. Aside from aligning your teeth, they can also help close gaps much more effectively.

Regular Braces Can Be Cheaper

Traditional braces are an affordable dental restorative option that’s cheaper than other forms of braces. Furthermore, conventional braces are covered by most insurance policies, making it easier to safeguard your dental health and secure a replacement in case of damage.

Early Dental Correction

Dental braces are ideal for young people as they take away the stress of exploring dental crowns, veneers, and other intrusive treatment methods later in life. Furthermore, it helps straighten their teeth at a young age, leaving them with perfectly corrected teeth and confidence during adulthood.

Reasons to Choose Invisalign Treatment

For those looking for an alternative option to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners offer many benefits. Some of which include:

Comfort

Invisalign braces are much more comfortable on the teeth and gums. The trays gently align against teeth, exerting subtle pressure. Furthermore, with the metal brackets and wires of traditional braces, your gums are far more susceptible to cuts and wounds. However, with Invisalign trays, your gums are kept protected due to the brace’s soft plastic padding.

Blends Naturally

Invisalign aligners are easily concealable and attract less attention. They blend well due to their transparent nature. This can be an added advantage for adults working in professional settings that don’t want to deal with the look of traditional braces while working towards straightening their teeth.

You Can Remove Your Invisalign Aligners Easily

Invisalign aligners are removable and can be taken off whenever you deem necessary. This can make it much easier to maintain and clean both your aligners and teeth. You also don’t have to worry when flossing as there are no wires or brackets to severe the thread unlike in traditional braces.

Consult an Orthodontist That Cares

Here at South Meadows Dental, your smile is important to us. Our goal is to ensure that you obtain the dental results that you deserve. With our team of professionals and over 45 years of experience, optimal results are guaranteed with each treatment you receive. Feel free to set up an appointment with our in-house dentists, such as Dr. Jamie Smith, for adequate dental assistance.

Everyone deserves to have a bright smile. Teeth whitening is undoubtedly among the most popular and affordable cosmetic dental procedures, but many people instead opt for over-the-counter options and find disappointing results. It’s important to know that your dentist can help when it comes to achieving a brighter, whiter smile with a simple, in-office treatment. Here’s what to know about it and answers to some common questions we see.

Why Are My Teeth Stained?

A lot of things can contribute to teeth staining, with the most common being your choice of food and drink. A general rule of thumb is that anything capable of staining your clothes will definitely stain your teeth. Therefore, you should consume foods and drinks such as berries, coffee, red wine, soda, and tea with moderation.

Naturally, the more you expose your teeth to such foods and drinks, the more your teeth become discolored. Additionally, the tar and nicotine present in cigarettes leave behind deep and severe stains after smoking. Other factors responsible for teeth staining include certain medications, genetics, and age.

Why Should I Consider Professional Teeth Whitening?

By far, the greatest advantage of getting your teeth whitened by your dentist is quick results. Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, professional teeth whitening uses stronger products to achieve noticeably whiter teeth in one treatment. Over-the-counter kits sold at drug stores typically take weeks or longer to achieve noticeable results.

How Long Will the Results Last?

Contrary to popular opinion, the results of teeth whitening are not permanent. The results of professional whitening can last several months, years, or longer. How long your results last will depend on your dental care regimen and the type of foods and drinks you often consume. Your dentist will give you take-home treatments to maintain your results, but it’s likely you’ll need to return periodically for more professional treatments.

If you regularly consume foods and beverages notorious for staining, then your results can be very short-lived. However, if practice moderation or avoid them entirely, then your results can last for a few years.

Does Teeth Whitening Cause Enamel or Nerve Damage?

According to research, the products typically used in professional teeth whitening don’t affect the hardness or mineral composition of your enamel. Additionally, a follow-up on people who had undergone teeth whitening revealed no damage to their nerves between 4.5 and seven years later.

Will Insurance Cover My Teeth Whitening?

Unfortunately, dental insurance does not usually cover the cost of your teeth whitening. If cost is an issue, your dentist can discuss your best options.

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?

If you’re unhappy with your teeth color and want long-term, effective results, then you can discuss your best options with your dentist. After performing a dental examination using x-rays, your dentist can recommend the best treatment plan for you and how to best maintain your results for the long term.

Schedule an Appointment

To learn more about how teeth whitening can help boost your confidence, we invite you to contact our Reno office by calling or filling out our online form.

What is an orthodontist?

All orthodontists are dentists. They are specialists who diagnose and offer treatments for individuals who have irregularities with their teeth, jaw, and face. This includes an incorrect position or misalignment of the teeth. They may offer their patients treatments like braces in order to correct the irregularity.

Do you need an orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatments offer multiple benefits. They help your teeth to function properly. If you have teeth that are crowded or misaligned, an orthodontic treatment may be right for you.

Orthodontic treatments will also enhance your smile. If you feel self-conscious because of crooked teeth, an orthodontic treatment may help. Also, when your teeth are straight, they are easier to clean. This means that you can improve your overall health by improving your dental health.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatments?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children who are as young as seven years old should receive an orthodontic evaluation if it seems like they may need an orthodontic treatment. It is never too late to get braces or use other orthodontic treatments. The sooner you start, the better.

How do you know if you have a problem with your bite?

Obvious signs that you have a bite problem include crowded teeth, protruding teeth, or teeth that are not in the right position. Less obvious signs would be breathing with your mouth open, regularly biting your cheeks, teeth that don’t come together correctly when you close your mouth, or difficulty talking. Also, if you sucked your thumb past the age of about four, you may have a bite problem.

Does it hurt to wear braces?

When you visit the orthodontists to have the braces put on, the process is usually pain-free. However, it is common for patients to have some mild pain or an aching feeling during the first few days after the braces are adjusted. It is generally accepted that over-the-counter pain medication can be used effectively.

How long will you have to wear braces?

The time when you actually wear the braces will vary. It can take some people just six months to have irregularities corrected. Others may need up to 30 months. After active treatment, you will need to wear a retainer.

How often will your braces be adjusted?

Most patients need to visit an orthodontist every four to 10 weeks during active treatment. The number of times that you visit will depend on the treatment you use and recommendations given by your orthodontist as your treatment progresses.

Will you have to adjust your diet?

Yes. You will need to avoid things like ice cubes, caramel, raw vegetables, and hard candy. Your orthodontist will give you a list of foods to avoid. The basic idea is to stay away from anything that could get trapped in your braces or damage them.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in finding out if braces are right for you, contact us at South Meadows Dental and Orthodontics. Dr. Brian Struby, Dr. Jamie Smith, and Dr. Meagan Struby are happy to help Reno, Nevada, residents improve their smiles.

When is the right age to get dental braces for my child? This is a question that has left many at a crossroads, wondering which way to go. Dental health is crucial in our lives as the teeth are involved in essential functions of the body. As such, taking good care of them is ideal and makes life easier. Here, we answer what age is right to get dental braces for your kids and include other practices involved in the process.

What is the Best Age?

Since all children are different, they all develop uniquely, thus making it hard to come up with a specific age when dental braces should be used. However, it is generally recommended between the ages of 9 and 14, since this is when children develop permanent teeth. Usually, you can easily tell if your child is heading for braces as early as seven years. In this case, it is wise to visit a dentist who will be an excellent resource when your child needs to visit an orthodontist.

Factors to Consider

Some of the factors that may require you to visit a dentist include irregular loss of teeth, overcrowding, mouth breathing, challenges in biting and chewing, disorganized teeth, and jaws that are not proportional. In addition, it is essential to note that most of these problems may be inherited. However, some children develop teeth problems when they suck their fingers and have poor dental hygiene.

If you notice some of these problems in your child, it is time to schedule an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation. Due to your child’s age, some orthodontists such as Dr. Meagan Struby may not recommend immediate treatment, but the visit may help prevent further problems in the future. In the first visit, the orthodontist will be able to identify some health concerns and develop a treatment plan. To some extent, an orthodontist may speed up the process of treatment. As such, once you talk to them, you do not have to worry about the age your child should get braces, as they will keep you updated.

Whether you have a preference for the braces that you would want to be fitted, an orthodontist will give you clear guidance. He or she will help you choose the right treatment for your child and the optimal time to get started with treatment. It is important to note that some children begin orthodontic treatment at the age of 6. Therefore, it is vital to address any concerns with an orthodontist before things become complicated.

Schedule a Consultation

Although some children can have their braces fitted at the age of 6, most people agree that ages 9-14 are the best for orthodontic treatment. This is the range of age recommended for teeth straightening and other dental attention. If you have any concerns about overcrowding, overbite, underbite, protruding, or crooked teeth in your child, it’s time you visit an orthodontist. South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics is a good option for you as you will get the utmost attention in addressing dental concerns.

To schedule a consultation at South Meadows Dental & Orthodontics, call (775) 852-8181 or fill out our contact form.